Te PapaTe Papa is New Zealand’s national museum, and showcases a huge range of interesting exhibits details the country’s unique geology, biology and social heritage. Admission is free. The museum is on the city center's waterfront.

Wellington Cable CarNow over 100 years old, the historic Wellington Cable Car whisks you from Lambton Quay in the city center all the way up to the Kelburn lookout. At the top there’s a Cable Car museum, featuring two of the original cable cars. Then you can wander back down to the city through the delightful Botanic Gardens.

Cuba StreetCuba Street is Wellington’s liveliest street. It’s home to the city’s quirkiest shops, bars and cafes. Plus there are always lots of street entertainers to amuse you, everything from musicians through flame-eaters to puppeteers.

ZeelandiaJust two miles (3km) from the city center you’ll find Zeelandia, a 225 hectare wildlife sanctuary set around a lake. Here the land has been carefully returned to its pre-human state, and is home to some rare native species, such as the tuatara (a throw-back to the age of the dinosaurs), the kaka (a forest parrot), and the takahe (a flightless bird with olive-green plumage). There’s an immersive exhibition center and cafe next to the sanctuary. A free shuttle bus to Zeelandia runs from the i-site visitor center and Cable Car top station.